Why they don't support heodphones? Because Google needs to sell matching Pixel buds that can't be repaired due to size and operate on flaky Bluetooth connections with questionable sound quality.
That'd just get lost. Such small devices constantly get lost, especially when not using the device for fun but e.g., to use the phone as an LTC reader to check timecode generators on set. (or even as cheap ToD LTC generator for multicam work).
The headphone jack is not just for music, it's a versatile industry-standard connector. Being able to swap the same devices between a phone, zoom audio recorders, the monitoring out of my Ninja V, or audio interfaces when editing is a valuable advantage of a standard connector.
And the entire rest of the industry continues using 3.5mm, 6.3mm and XLR. It's only a handful of phones that try to force you into wasting your money.
I feel your pain, and I just buy bunch of them so I always have some.
> It's only a handful of phones that try to force you into wasting your money.
companies have marketing department, who probably found that customers more interested in slick design and Ok to use usb-c buds or bluetooth headphones.
LG used to produce phones with 3.5 and audiophile signal quality, now they are out of business.
> I feel your pain, and I just buy bunch of them so I always have some.
Sadly many don't support all the features of a headphone port, meaning TRRS with control, allowing you to use an external microphone and play/pause/skip buttons as well.
I'm using some tech that actually makes use of that, specifically as timecode reader for AV stuff.
I need my phone to be a modern version of star trek's tricorder, not a piece of jewelry.
Even this nokia phone has a 3.5mm port, why doesn't Google support it anymore?